August 04 / 18.15 Haydock

18.15

Good

Sky Bet, For The Fans Handicap

  • Prize money: £38655
  • 0m 5f 0y
  • Class 2
  • 10 runners
ITV4
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Sky Bet, For The Fans Handicap

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

7/1 (Won)

  • Win: £5.60
  • Place: £2.00

Form: 120-43 D

Last run: 49 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Prominent-racer who reappeared with good fourth at Doncaster (5f, good) in June and ran a big race when third of 16 behind American Affair at Thirsk (5f, good to soft) last time; can be thereabouts once more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

(1)

4th Sep 2026

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

15:47 Haydock

Jer Batt

9st 12lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: David & Nicola Barron

C&D winner who hasn't been out of the frame in five visits here; all four starts have been at Musselburgh this term, running creditably on two occasions; was a handful when he last raced off this mark back in 2023 and he ought to make his presence felt on ground that will be no issue.

4/1

4th

1

(4)

7th Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 4

15:50 Musselburgh

Jer Batt

10st 0lb

J: William Pyle

T: David & Nicola Barron

Not that easy to win with (2-27 on turf) but is a C&D winner (good to soft) and has run creditably when third over C&D on last two starts (closely matched with Montezuma on last week's run); a possible

3/1

3/1

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 13-121 D

Last run: 49 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Improved form this year, winning on reappearance at Musselburgh (5f, good to soft) before a good second of 15 at Hamilton (5f, good; denied clear run), then winning again at Thirsk (5f, good to soft); he's up 8lb for last time but did it cosily in that big field and could still be ahead of the handicapper; aiming for third Sky Bet Sunday Series win and £100k bonus.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

2

(4)

21st Aug 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

15:35 York

American Affair

10st 1lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

Said goodbye to handicaps when winning over C&D in May 2025 and just two runs later he won the Group 1 King Charles III at Royal Ascot (good to firm; handles good to soft); off the track for nearly a year after and he's been slowly working his way back to form since, looking more his old self when winning a Group 2 at Glorious Goodwood latest; a likely force.

7/1

1st

2

(9)

31st Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Goodwood

American Affair

9st 4lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Jim Goldie

Won the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot (5f, good to firm) last June then missed the rest of the season; mixed form this year but he showed spark when second to Night Raider at Haydock in May and today's expected frenetic gallop will be right up his street; not ruled out.

11/1

12/1

  • Place: £3.60

Form: 174166 D

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Two wins this season (5f, good to soft/good to firm) and beaten just under 2l when a creditable sixth at Ascot (5f, good/good to firm) the last twice; might not be far away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(9)

25th Oct 2025

Heavy

0m 5f 3y

Class 2

13:30 Doncaster

Woolhampton

9st 7lb

J: Oliver Searle

T: Rod Millman

Never a threat after a slow start in the corresponding race 12 months ago; as good as ever when winning at Sandown and Ascot (came from well back) in August/September and two subsequent defeats excusable (ground/Listed race); 3-8 on soft or worse but might be better suited by a stiffer finish.

16/1

8th

12

(5)

4th Oct 2025

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 1

13:50 Ascot

Woolhampton

8st 12lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Rod Millman

At least as good as ever this year, winning handicaps at Sandown (5f, soft) and over C&D (good to soft) in September; found things happening too quickly at Haydock last Saturday and she's in deeper today, but she does go really well at Ascot and the more rain that falls the better.

16/1

3

(2)

27th Sep 2025

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

14:05 Haydock

Woolhampton

9st 8lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Rod Millman

Likeable mare with eight wins to her name, including at Sandown (5f, soft) and Ascot (5f, good to soft) in the last four weeks; impossible to rule out but she's gone up 13lb in total for those successes and she'll need a career best to complete the hat-trick.

100/30

Form: 7-2044 D

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Without a win since February 2022 but he's run some good races this season and was denied a clear run when 1l fourth of 13 at Ascot (5f, good to firm) last Saturday; also effective on good to soft; he's one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

(1)

11th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 42y

Class 5

15:20 Yarmouth

Existent

9st 8lb

J: Zac Lloyd

T: Stuart Williams

Finally ended a 49-race losing run at Southwell (5f, AW) in January; now 2lb lower than for that success and this company is much easier than that he normally keeps, but his record of 1-47 on turf still makes him hard to warm to.

6/1

5th

13

(9)

13th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 42y

Class 3

14:40 Yarmouth

Existent

8st 10lb

J: Jack Nicholls

T: Stuart Williams

Ended a lengthy losing run at Southwell in January and posted a respectable effort at Newmarket (5f, good) last month; however, he was down the field at Ascot (5f, good to firm) 12 days ago and is now just 1-46 on turf; others preferred.

20/1

14th

15

(16)

1st May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

16:20 Ascot

Existent

9st 1lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Stuart Williams

Ended a lengthy losing run at Southwell in January and he is just 1lb higher today; solid effort at Newmarket 17 days ago when not ideally positioned; each-way claims at a track where he has run well in much better races than this one.

12/1

Form: 739636

Last run: 3 days

W: 9st 1lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Four AW wins last November/December and close third at Doncaster (5f, good) last month; however, his form has been a bit in and out of late and he's won just one of his 28 starts on turf.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

11

(8)

12th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 75y

Class 4

15:45 Beverley

Intervention

9st 0lb

J: Joanna Mason

T: Michael Appleby

Hurtling down the weights but for good reason as this multiple winner is looking very regressive.

33/1

15th

17

(1)

24th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:32 York

Intervention

8st 10lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Michael Appleby

Fully 15lb lower than when winning at Lingfield (6f, AW) last December but this 9yo has regressed in recent months; has to turn things around.

40/1

7th

6

(11)

11th Jul 2026

Good

0m 5f 15y

Class 5

14:10 Chester

Intervention

9st 8lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Michael Appleby

On a good mark, fully 14lb lower than when winning last season's Great St Wilfrid, but 0-14 at 5f and he is drawn out wide.

25/1

OUR TIP

7/1

Form: -27822 D

Last run: 30 days

W: 9st 12lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Has gone very close at Windsor (5f, good to firm) and Doncaster (5f, good) the last twice; the handicapper has reacted only lightly and he can be bang there if conditions are suitable (unproven on slow ground).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

8

(3)

15th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 143y

Class 4

16:10 Doncaster

Squealer

8st 13lb

J: Faye McManoman

T: Nigel Tinkler

A fairly useful 5f winner in 2025; yet to hit top form this season though, third of four in 5f Nottingham handicap last month; more is needed despite a tumbling mark.

9/1

3rd

2

(1)

21st Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 8y

Class 5

17:50 Nottingham

Squealer

9st 13lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Nigel Tinkler

York win last summer came off 15lb higher, which shows how things have gone in the meantime; can miss the break (including in first-time headgear latest; now removed) but this race is easier than he's used to; career-low mark.

7/1

Form: 027275 D

Last run: 8 days

W: 8st 10lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Just one win from his last 30 starts but has gone close a few times this year and he was beaten just over 1l when fifth of 18 at York last Saturday; a first-time eyeshield replaces cheekpieces; each-way claims.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

9

(15)

12th Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 4

18:45 Musselburgh

Zarzyni

9st 4lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: David & Nicola Barron

Three-time C&D winner, including twice off higher marks in the month of April; unlucky third, having found daylight too late, in this race 12 months ago; soft ground was against him here last weekend; likely player if the cards drop right.

10/1

9th

6

(8)

4th Apr 2026

Good To Soft

0m 5f 1y

Class 4

16:45 Musselburgh

Zarzyni

9st 0lb

J: William Pyle

T: David & Nicola Barron

Below best on latest course start in October but has a strong C&D record otherwise, three wins include this race (good to soft) last year; now 2lb lower and primed for a good run if he avoids trouble in running.

9/2

7th

10

(4)

20th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 4f 214y

Class 4

20:00 Southwell (AW)

Zarzyni

9st 5lb

J: William Pyle

T: David & Nicola Barron

Hasn't won as often as one of his ability probably should but he did score twice in 2025, the latter win over C&D; 3lb higher in a better race this time and he'll need to be somewhere near last year's best to take this after four months off.

14/1

Form: 62-242

Last run: 8 days

W: 9st 7lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Neck runner-up here (6f, good to firm) last June on final run last season and he's also gone very close on two of his three starts this year (5f, AW/good to firm); ran pretty well on heavy going here in 2022 on sole encounter with slow ground; this front-runner can make another bold bid.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

11

(8)

25th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

17:20 Ascot

Emperor Spirit

8st 11lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Michael Keady

Ran a stormer over C&D on his seasonal return; the ground went against him at Epsom on Derby day and he has quickly bounced back with placed efforts at Beverley and Newmarket; up 2lb for latest near-miss but still on a good mark; Oisin Murphy booked; decent chance.

7/1

3rd

9

(8)

10th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 3

16:45 Newmarket (July)

Emperor Spirit

9st 5lb

J: Marco Ghiani

T: Michael Keady

First run for Michael Keady when winning this race 12 months ago off a 3lb higher mark; two good runs on fast ground this year (below par on slower going in the Epsom Dash) and he's likely to make another bold bid.

5/1

2nd

3

(3)

3rd Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

19:02 Beverley

Emperor Spirit

9st 11lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Michael Keady

Blows hot and cold but he is on a dangerous mark and his second of 17 at Ascot (5f, good to firm) in May was a fine effort; subsequent run in the Dash at Epsom can be forgiven (ground) and this should be more to his liking; other pace influences on show.

7/1

6/1

Form: -42951 D

Last run: 30 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
3yo who added to last season's two novice wins when narrowly landing five-runner fillies' handicap at Doncaster (5f, good) last month; just 2lb higher today and can give another good account, but this is more competitive and it's likely she'll need a bigger run; unproven on slow ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

5

(10)

25th Sep 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:00 Newmarket

Harvanna

9st 6lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Michael Appleby

Prominent racer; three 5f wins when trained by Karl Burke, the latest a handicap off 1lb lower last July; runner-up in two of her five runs for Mick Appleby but she dropped away having forced the pace at Goodwood eight weeks ago; should be able to grab the stands' rail which could be advantageous but there are other pace influences to contend with.

10/1

12/1

Form: 783636

Last run: 10 days

W: 8st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Ran really well when close third of 18 at York (6f, good to soft) last month, then failed to settle when fair sixth of 14 at Yarmouth (6f, good to firm) last time; however, this is a higher grade than he's used to.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

7

(10)

14th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

19:02 Newmarket (July)

Rebel Path

9st 8lb

J: Chloe Lyons

T: Stuart Williams

His last win was 15 months ago but he made a bold when a close third off a reduced mark over C&D (good to firm) last time; responded well to first-time cheekpieces in that race and has claims if the headgear works again.

15/2

3rd

7

(4)

31st Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

19:00 Newmarket (July)

Rebel Path

9st 5lb

J: Olivia Haines

T: Stuart Williams

Won on the other course here (6f, good to firm) last May but he's been up and down since and has been out of sorts in his last two starts; now 8lb lower than for his last success but he needs a major revival with cheekpieces added.

12/1

10th

2

(11)

9th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

18:52 Newbury

Rebel Path

9st 13lb

J: Olivia Haines

T: Stuart Williams

Merely mid-division at Newmarket (6f, good) three weeks ago but prior to that he took a step back in the right direction when third on the Rowley Mile there (6f, good) and his stable is in fine form; not discounted.

7/1

Non-runners

Rhythmic Acclaim

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £14.40
Straight Forecast £15.90
Tricast £125.14
Trifecta £218.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

American Affair

Telegraph:

Squealer

TOPSPEED:

Zarzyni

The Times:

Existent

RP RATINGS:

American Affair

D Express:

American Affair

The Sun:

American Affair

Daily Record:

American Affair

Daily Mirror:

Squealer

The Star:

Squealer

POSTDATA:

Zarzyni